You Can't Bargain With God

By Earvin Eugene

Copyright © 2020 by Earvin P Eugene

All rights reserved.

​Greg is a therapist. He meets patients everyday. Some more interesting than others. His job is to support people with family issues, drug rehabilitation, mental illness yet he prefers to converse about love life, drama, and sports. An opportunity to get paid for "professional" dialogue. One individual, younger than Gregory; stated "How do I know if this girl likes me?" Tell me about her Greg suggested. "She messages me on tinder. We matched. Now we moved to Instagram. We do not talk about much. I realized that it is best to go back and forth and not say much until we hangout. Greg did not provide much direction. Just interested in seeing photos and conversation. The guy thought so be it, another failed attempt at a relationship. Maybe an opportunity to hook up with another girl may cross paths. It was a stupid and futile gesture to gain any real traction. Girls come and go. Dating, failed attempts at dating. Sex with many. Several meaningful relationships for better or worse. He was numb to it all. Progressing to interact with girls as some instinct rather than passion or enthusiasm. The bane of existence of man to continue to get aroused looking for companionship when at a certain age of experience, it feels worthless. Jaded and exhausted from redundancy.

​Greg battled with pain. So, he took pain killers. Sometimes, the guy felt like the therapist. He would listen to Greg share thoughts on his own demises. Conversations of possessing a strict Irish military father. A loving Hispanic mother. A father with demands. A father that put Greg at odds. Life was troublesome for Gregory, getting drunk plenty. Trying to escape home as a youth. He was able to break away from it all after college and becoming a therapist. Now, married. However, no kids. Unaware whether it was the sign of the times or wanted to live a more pleasurable and easy-going life with a partner. No burden of child-rearing. Perhaps, slighted expectations in comparison to his own childhood. At the moment, Gregory deals with back pain. He manages this pain with medication. It appeared to be genuine at first glance but now it was turning to a habit. The guy reminded the therapist of the opioid epidemic, not stating it as a matter of fact but more casual like, "A lot of people have trouble in dealing with pain killers. Try not to go down that path for too long…" Greg was older, so he knew best they supposed. The guy was no saint. He attempted things, only testing waters. Never diving deep into anything serious.

​Greg's wife was gorgeous. He was a lucky guy. She possessed a fun and dangerous prettiness. Tattoos, bright eyes, candid smile regardless of the things she may have done or witnessed. Those girls just want to have fun. They are an escape to pleasure. Not the most moral girl or woman but spending time with them made you forget the burdens of life. She was similar to the girl the guy was interested. It was strange. Looking at doubles. Supposedly, it is a type. Who knows if that is what the guy wanted for now or in the future? He never commits. Commitment nowadays requires to put things on the line. He cannot think of any girl to "survive" with. He attempted to discuss the whole theory of when you've been single for awhile it is hard to settle down. Freedom to come and go as you please. Not to consider or more importantly worry about someone. The idea of monogamy, to "catch" real feelings. It felt immature. The guy was not mature though. He just utilized his time in his own interests. Reading, writing, studying, drinking; let us not forget drinking. The guy was not an alcoholic, but at times he considered whether or not everyone was as happy as he was drunk. Wishing to stay in that state for a moment longer than it actually lasted. Those were internal thoughts. Being too excited about something makes people wonder if it is a problem. Nonetheless, Greg related most of the times. He was the type of guy to clock-in nine to five and live that bohemian lifestyle after hours. No blame or judgement. We are all working for the dollar. Greg played an instrument. A guitar I believe. It could be the drums. I am unaware if it is a real pursuit or a hobby.

​On one interesting day. Greg was on his way to the airport with his wife. It was a typical trip to Florida for the holidays. They bought the overpriced coffee and snacks. Many people succumb to this on vacation. Nobody can truly enjoy vacation by penny-pinching. You are almost forced to buy something at the airport. The flight departs in an hour. Instead of using the cramped plane bathroom they decide to use the airport bathrooms. Greg goes in the boy's room and his wife goes to the girl's room. Gregory does his routine. Waits for his wife, Emily by the area. She does not return after five minutes. Another girl enters the bathroom. Now, it has been ten minutes and no girls leave the bathroom. He calls Emily, all rings no reply. He notices a woman about to walk into the bathroom. He awkwardly mentions, "My wife Emily is in the bathroom, could you give her a heads up and tell her husband, Greg is waiting." The woman just answers, "sure." She enters. Time passes by. Now, Greg is checking his phone that the flight departs in thirty minutes. If it was possible, he would just get his wife, Emily. Enough is enough. He captures airport security. They enter, again no return. This is when Greg realizes something is not right. Greg warned others of his dilemma. The state police arrive to investigate. It is safe to say they will not make the flight. They enter with no escape.